100 Things To Teach Evelyn

1. You are absolutely and undeniably unique. You are one of a kind, and there is no one like you in the world. BE YOURSELF. It will draw people to you for the rest of your life.

2. Life is not a race. Never compare yourself to where the people around you are. Your plan is different than anyone else’s plan. Remember that.

3. Always set goals. Even small ones. We are creatures of progression. Post your goals where you can see them and always picture yourself accomplishing them.

4. Lists are your friend. Make them, and enjoy the glorious feeling of crossing off an item.

5. Step outside your comfort zone. You’ll be surprised.

6. You’re never too old for Harry Potter.

7. Everything is always okay in the end. If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.

8. Nothing you do can make me stop loving you.

9. Pay attention to the way Grandpa Brad treats Grandma Trudy.

10. Beauty truly comes from the inside. Believe that. The media lies. Don’t compare yourself or your looks. Comparison is the thief of joy. You were made in God’s image. He doesn’t make mistakes. You ARE beautiful.

11. Read your scriptures. It has the answers to all the problems you’ll face. And if you don’t think so, read harder.

12. We don’t stop playing when we get old. We get old because we stop playing.

13. Friends will make or break you. Seek out good friends. Be the kind of friend you wish you had.

14. Don’t be a people-pleaser. Just be honest and do what’s right, even if it’s not popular.

15. Live alone at least once in your life. You will learn more about yourself in that time than you ever can imagine.

16. When you start feeling sorry for yourself, find someone to serve. Do something nice for someone. Making cookies is a good start.

17. Chronic complaining is unattractive. Develop your problem solving skills. If you aren’t willing to make the proper change, you aren’t allowed to whine about the problem.

18. There are things dogs understand, that people don’t. Cuddle one of the puppies when you’re having a sad day.

19. Never deny an adventure.

20. Don’t lose the Eternal Perspective. As long as you can remember that Heavenly Father knows what he is doing, small trials become trivial. He sees more than we do, and it’s all for something.

21. NOTHING in the world is more important than the temple. Always keep getting to the temple your goal, and stay worthy of it once you’re there. No activity, drink, behavior, or lifestyle is better than the blessings the temple holds. I promise that. Get there. Stay there.

22. Keep a journal. Write your story. It’s therapy.

23. Your daddy works so hard to support our family. He loves me and you so much. He makes time to laugh and have fun with us every single day. He is happy and patient. I don’t know how he does it, but make sure you find someone like him to marry.

24. Don’t be afraid to do things yourself.

25. Part of doing things yourself is making mistakes. Mistakes can always be fixed.

26. You never know who is watching and looking up to you. Never forget that you are always an example to someone.

27. Be kind to everyone. Even strangers. You don’t know what they are going through. Treat everyone you meet like it’s their birthday.

28. Hard work will get you further than anything in life.

29. Learn to see the beauty in the world. It’s all around. You just have to open your eyes.

30. Take road trips often.

31. There is more to life than money. Money can never make you happy. Debt will rot your soul. Avoid unnecessary debt.

32. Music is a language best understood by the heart.

33. Don’t believe anyone who says U2 is lame.

34. Laugh every single day. A sense of humor is worth gold.

35. Happiness is a journey. It’s a mood. It is NOT a destination. You can be happy amidst trials.

36. Always eat breakfast.

37. A bowl of popcorn and Singing In the Rain will mend a heart. Gene Kelly and his tap-dancing feet will take your problems away for 1.5 hours.

38. Camping is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Do it at least once a year.

39. True love is doing the dishes together and inside jokes over silly things.

40. You’re never too busy for a long bubble bath.

41. Celebrate your heritage. It’s good to be Greek. Grandpa Pulos is one of the most amazing men who’s lived. Learn about him. Follow his example.

42. I will never get mad at you for staying up too late reading a good book.

43. Be detail oriented.

44. Original NES nintendo will never go out of style.

45. No excuses. Just woman-up and get things done!

46. A good pair of running shoes is an investment.

47. Trust takes a long time to earn, be so careful to not break that with your friends and family.

48. Make friends with your cousins. Those relationships get even better with age.

49. Treat yourself to a cold Dr. Pepper

50. There’s no such thing as too many pillows.

51. Your name holds special meaning to us.

52. A strong man isn’t threatened by a strong woman.

53. Womanhood is a gift.

54. The painful truth is always better than a messy lie.

55. Good communication is a skill that should always be worked on.

56. When it rains, pause to go jump in a puddle. Dance, while you’re at it.

58. Understand your worth. If someone isn’t willing to treat you like a daughter of God, they aren’t worth your time. Don’t ever ever settle just to save yourself from being alone.

59. Girls can like Star Wars too.

60. Never play the victim. If bad things happen, it’s for a reason. We rise from the ashes. We don’t feel sorry for ourselves.

61. Wickedness can NEVER be happiness.

62. Faith has a short shelf life. Never assume you’re “safe” from falling. I made that mistake, and it was hard to fix. But always remember, it CAN be fixed. It is just really really hard.

63. The Atonement is for more than just sins. It is for broken hearts, sadness, depression, struggles, and anything you need strength for. It is always available for use. Don’t ignore it.

64. It’s not your place to judge. Ever.

65. Forgive. Even when they never say sorry.

66. Don’t ever count on somebody else to make you happy.

67. There’s no shame in having milk and Oreos for breakfast.

68. Be brave enough to try new foods at least once.

69. Fresh peaches on vanilla ice cream is the best thing you will eat all summer long.

70. Be the first to volunteer when someone needs help.

71. Go to the mountains often, even if only on a drive.

72. Get a library card.

73. Fight for what matters.

74. Learn something from everyone.

75. Nobody likes a know-it-all.

76. Mean everything you say. Keep your word. Don’t trifle words.

77. Don’t live in the past. You can’t drive forward if you’re stuck looking in a rear view mirror. You will keep crashing. Look FORWARD, and occasionally glance back to keep things in check.

78. Don’t wait for things to happen. Make them happen.

79. Drink lots of water.

80. Most of the things you worry about never happen.

81. I will always want to hear from you.

82. Being passive aggressive is immature. When you have a problem with something or someone, do the right thing and talk to them about it. It’s hard. But it’s better.

83. Never attack the person. Attack the problem.

84. It never hurts to ask.

85. You can’t change what people think about you. Be your best self, and that is enough.

86. Cardigan weather is the best weather.

87. If you’re bored, organize your closet.

88. Go thrift shopping often. The DI is our best friend!

89. Girls can use power tools too.

90. Get to know yourself. And LOVE yourself. But remember, it’s not always about YOU. Think of others, and be there to lift them up.

91. Your life has a reason, and you have a great work to do. Look for opportunities around you to make a difference.

92. Being consistent is the best way to not have drama.

93. Pay your bills on time.

94. People watching is never a waste of time.

95. If someone tells you getting your pilot’s license is impossible, they are wrong.

96. You are a creation of two people’s eternal love. No one has loved anyone more than I love your dad.

97. Marry someone who is fun to be around and makes you laugh. If you can’t laugh together when you accidentally put a third cup of Siracha into your meal, you’re going to have a hard time.

98. Climb trees.

99. Take LOTS of pictures.

100. You are the master of your fate. You are the captain of your soul.“It matters not how strait the gate,How charged with punishments the scroll,I am the master of my fate:I am the captain of my soul.”

So is mine and I had to look twice to see if somehow the computer had learnt my daughters name.
A sweet coincidence, although mine is 18 already. Hope its not too late to teach her some of the things on the list.

OMG, this couldn’t be more brilliant! Never mind my daughter – I still need to teach myself most of these things. I wrote a similar post recently for my little girl, but yours makes me need a volume 2! x

Thank you for posting. I am writing my daughter letters for everyday she will be at Army National Guard basic training. She is graduating HS early so she can finish basic and advanced training and still start college in the fall. Very focused young lady! She leaves in 27 days! I am so proud of her but will miss her terribly!

Love this list, great wisdom and love given freely plus a little off beat humour. Number 101 is a great addition too. But mostly I’ve enjoyed the comments, so reassuring, the list lives on and we’ll be OK.

This is a beautiful list. Thank you for posting it. i a a grandmother and I wish someone had told me all of these tins when I was a child. My parents did teach me many of them. I would change #25 a bit-ALL mistakes cannot be fixed, but we can learn from all of our mistakes and If we love God, He promises to make all things work together for good.

Heh. Being a single mum rocks, because it eliminates the need to vocalise many of these. “Girls can use power tools too.” Well, yes, no @#$*; you know women can use them because if your mother doesn’t, things stay broken.

A lot of these things are meaningless if not modelled in day-to-day life, and shouldn’t need to be said.